Permit Required Confined Space Training Guide

1. Permit Required Confined Space Training Guide This Program Is Provided to Protect Authorized Employees That Will Enter Confined Spaces and May Be Exposed to Hazardous Atmospheres, Engulfment in Materials, Conditions Which May Trap or Asphyxiate Due to Converging or Sloping Walls, or Contains Any Other Safety or Health Hazards.

2. What Is a Confined Space • It is large enough or so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform work. • Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (I.E. Tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry). • In not designed for continuous employee occupancy. • NOTE: annually there are 62 fatalities and 12,643 injuries and illnesses contributed to confined space hazards.

3. What Is a PERMIT-RQUIRED Confined Space Permit required confined space (permit space), means a confined space. that has one or more of the following characteristics: • Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere. • Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant. • Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly covering walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section. • Contains any other recognized safety or health hazard.

4. Atmospheric Hazards Oxygen Deficiency Combustible Flammable Explosive Toxic gases / Vapors / Dust / Mists Other Possible Hazards Rodents / snakes / spiders Poor lighting Wind & weather Physical Hazards Unguarded machine parts Thermal hazards Exposed electrical circuits Slip / fall hazards Engulfment Entrapment Hazardous chemicals Biological agents Noise Vibration Confined Space Hazards

5. Flammable Atmospheres Enriched oxygen levels Vapors of flammable liquids Chemical reaction Combustible dust By-products of work Toxic Atmospheres Carbon monoxide (CO) Welding operations Discharge of hazardous chemicals Hazardous Atmospheres

6. Irritant (Corrosive) Atmospheres: Primary: Exert no systemic toxic effects ( on the entire body) Chlorine , ozone, sulfuric acid Secondary: Weakens defense reflexes Benzene/ ethyl-chloride/ refrigeration Asphyxiating Atmospheres: 20.9%oxygen + 78.1% nitrogen & 1% argon O2 consumption <17% = hypoxia Welding Number of people Increased CO2 Colorless & odorless O2 < 14 – 16% = physiologic effects Hazardous Atmospheres (Continued)

7. General Safety Hazards • Mechanical: • Electrical or mechanical equipment that would cause injury – LOTO • Inspect for leaks – vapors, gases – valves closed • Physical Hazards: • Pipe temperatures – hot or cold • Noise • Vibration • Structural Hazards: • Horizontal pathways • Overhead structural members • Vertical shafts

8. Controlling Hazards • First evaluate the workplace does it meet the criteria that requires a permit. • Post signs warning personnel to stay out of the area. • Use barriers as required. • Follow the Confined Space Entry Permit. • Conduct air monitoring to identify and evaluate hazards. • Identify the conditions that will make the space acceptable to enter safely. • Flush, ventilate, or otherwise eliminate atmospheric hazards before allowing entry.

9. Confined Space Entry Permit • This is the “Key” to the confined space safety program. • The permit identifies: • The space to be entered. • Purpose, date and authorized length of entry. • Names or workers authorized to enter, attendant and entry supervisor. • Hazards associated with the space. • Results of initial and periodic tests. • Methods used to isolate, eliminate or control the hazards. • Acceptable entry conditions. • Equipment – PPE, lighting, ventilating, testing/monitoring, ladders & retrieval. • Emergency services phone numbers. • Additional permits – Hot Work – LOTO. • Special employee safety information.

10. Ventilation Guidelines • Clean and purge space before entering • Sewer lids should not be lifted prior to initial atmospheric testing • Initial atmospheric test before using ventilation equipment • Keep all ignition sources away from potential combustible atmospheres • Report all suspected leaks into or out of space • Always ventilate prior to entry and during occupancy • Elevate blower intake 10 inches above ground to reduce CO from vehicles • Locate blower 5 ft. away from space opening – know direction & location exhaust will exit • Minimize hose length and bends • Increase initial purge time by 50% if atmosphere is toxic or space has irregular shape • Blower must provide 20 air changes per hour • Supply ventilation is more effective than exhaust ventilation • Direct supply ventilation to area occupied by worker • Use local exhaust for localized contaminant sources (such as welding fumes)

11. Acceptable Entry Conditions • Confined Space Entry permit posted. • Oxygen level 19.5 – 23.5%. • Lower Explosive Level 0%. • Toxic fumes/vapors LESS than PEL. • No engulfing material in space. • No hazardous chemicals or material. • Drained - or - Flushed. • Rescue Team Available. • Attendant is present and equipment in place. • Communication is established between attendant, entrants’, & supervisor. • Space Temperature < 100 degrees F. • LOTO Electrical, Mechanical, and pipes. • Ventilation established and maintained. • Additional conditions required on the permit or Entry Supervisor.

12. Duties of Entry Supervisor • Entry supervisors are responsible for the overall permit space entry and must coordinate all entry procedures, test, permits, equipment and other relevant activities. The following duties are required: • Know the hazards – including signs & symptoms of exposure. • Verifies- all test, specified equipment in place, permit completed. • Terminate the entry and cancel permit when complete. • NOTE: anyone can terminate the entry. • Verify rescue services are available or able to be summoned. • Remove unauthorized persons from the area. • Determine whenever responsibility for a permit space entry operation is transferred.

13. Duties of Attendant • At least two attendants are required outside the permit space into which entry is authorized for the duration of the entry operation. • Attendants duties: • Know the hazards that may be faced during entry – including signs and symptoms of exposure. • Be aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard exposure on entrants. • Continuously maintain an accurate count of entrants. • Remain out side the permit space during entry operations until relieved – by a qualified replacement. • Maintain consent communication with entrants. • Monitor activities inside and outside the space to ensure it is safe for the entrants to remain in the space. • Summon rescue and other emergency services the moment the entrants need assistance. • Perform non-entry rescue as specified by the rescue procedures and entry supervisor. • DO NOT perform duties that might interfere with the attendants primary duty to monitor and protect the entrants. • Keep unauthorized persons clear of the of the permit space. • Keep the entry supervisor aware of any changes, work in progress, equipment operation etc…

14. Duties of the Entrants • All entrants must be authorized by the entry supervisor to enter permit space, have received the required training, use the proper equipment, and observe the entry procedures and perform the following: • Know the hazards that may occur during the entry – including signs or symptoms related to exposure. • Properly use the equipment required for safe entry. • Maintain communication with the attendant at all times. • Alert the attendant whenever the entrant recognizes any warning signs or symptoms of exposure or any prohibited condition is detected. • Exit the permit space as quickly as possible whenever-the attendant to entry supervisor gives the order to evacuate or entrant detects a unsafe condition.

15. Confined Space Entry Procedures • Conduct Pre-entry Briefing • Assemble and check equipment • Establish Acceptable Entry Conditions • Conduct initial air sampling • Execute & Complete Entry Permit • Station Entry Attendant • Establish Monitoring of Atmosphere • Establish Communication • Execute Hot Work Permit if Applicable • Post Confined Space Entry Permit • Enter Space • Post-Entry Debrief When Entry is Completed